Controlled environment and method

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of an irrigation system may include a carriage that may move along a predetermined path in a reciprocal manner. The carriage may support one or more exit ports that may be fed nutrient supply by a pressurized delivery arrangement. One or more plant stands may be configured and arranged to straddle the carriage as it moves along the predetermined path. The one or more plant stands may form a chamber into which plant roots may extend, and into which the one or more exit ports may discharge their nutrient supply. The one or more plant stands may include side panels and a cap to reduce infiltration of light and contaminants and to enhance the plant root/nutrient supply interface and absorption rates. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may include friction reducing elements that facilitate transverse movement. The carriage and/or the plant stand(s) may be supported by framework.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . An irrigation system for use in a controlled environment, said irrigation system comprising:
 a. a support frame comprising two generally horizontal rails each having a length, wherein said horizontal rails are generally parallel with respect to one another, and wherein said horizontal rails are positioned above a floor via a plurality of base members positioned between said floor and said horizontal rails;   b. a secondary frame operatively engaged with said horizontal rails, wherein said secondary frame is supported by said horizontal rails such that said secondary frame is elevated above said floor, wherein said secondary frame is positioned between said two horizontal rails, wherein said secondary frame is moveable along said length of said horizontal rails, and wherein a length of said secondary frame is equal to half of said length of said two generally horizontal rails;   c. a plant stand positioned over said horizontal rails, wherein a bottom portion of said plant stand engages a first of said horizontal rails;   d. a pan engaged with said horizontal rails and extending along an entire length of said horizontal rails, wherein said pan is positioned between said horizontal rails and extends therebetween, wherein said pan is positioned below said secondary frame, and wherein said pan is positioned above said floor; and,   e. a delivery arrangement comprising an intake portion and a discharge portion, wherein said discharge portion is operatively engaged with said secondary frame, wherein said delivery arrangement is configured and arranged to provide a nutrient supply from said intake portion to said discharge portion, wherein excess nutrient supply is collected in said pan and routed to said intake portion.   
     
     
         2 . The irrigation system according to  claim 1  wherein said generally horizontal rails are further defined as having a square-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The irrigation system according to  claim 2  wherein said delivery arrangement further comprises:
 a. a first mast adjacent a first end of said secondary frame, wherein said discharge portion is engaged with said first mast; and 
 b. a second mast adjacent a second end of said secondary frame, wherein a second discharge portion is engaged with said second mast. 
 
     
     
         4 . The irrigation system according to  claim 1  wherein said plant stand is further defined as being configured and arranged to support a plurality of plants in a vertically angled manner. 
     
     
         5 . The irrigation system according to  claim 4  wherein said plant stand defines a chamber into which said plant root extends. 
     
     
         6 . The irrigation system according to  claim 5  further comprising a drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly is configured and arranged to move said secondary frame between a first position at a first terminal end of said two generally horizontal rails and a second position at a second terminal end of said two generally horizontal rails. 
     
     
         7 . A support frame comprising:
 a. a first base member extending upward from a floor, wherein said floor engages and supports said first base member;   b. a second base member extending upward from said floor, wherein said floor engages and supports said second base member;   c. a first rail having a first end and a second end separated by a length of said rail, wherein said rail first end is engaged with adjacent a first end of-said first base member, and wherein said rail second end is engaged with said second base member, and wherein said first and second base members elevate said rail and above said floor;   d. a second rail engaged adjacent a second end of said base member and above said floor, wherein said first and second rails are parallel with respect to one another;   e. a secondary frame positioned between and engaged with said first and second rails, wherein said secondary frame is moveable with respect to said first and second rails along the length of said first and second-rail;   f. a pan engaged with said first and second rails, wherein said pan is positioned between first and second horizontal rails and extends from said first horizontal rail to said second horizontal rail, wherein said pan extends along an entire length of said first and second horizontal rails, wherein said pan is positioned below said secondary frame, and wherein said pan is positioned above said floor; and,   g. a branch engaged with said secondary frame and extending upward therefrom; and,   h. a plurality of nozzles positioned on said branch.   
     
     
         8 . The support frame according to  claim 7  wherein said support frame further comprises a plant stand, wherein said plant stand is configured and arranged to support a plurality of plants in a vertically angled manner, and wherein said base member supports said plant stand. 
     
     
         9 . The support frame according to  claim 8  wherein said plant stand defines a chamber into which said plant root extends, and wherein said secondary frame is positioned in said chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The support frame according to  claim 9  further comprising a drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly is configured and arranged to move said secondary frame between a first position at a first terminal end of said two generally horizontal rails and a second position at a second terminal end of said two generally horizontal rails. 
     
     
         11 . A support frame comprising:
 a. a first base member extending upward from a floor, wherein said floor engages and supports said first base member;   b. a second base member extending upward from said floor, wherein said floor engages and supports said second base member;   c. a first rail having a first end and a second end separated by a length of said rail, wherein said rail first end is engaged with said first base member, and wherein said rail second end is engaged with said second base member, and wherein said first and second base members elevate said rail above said floor;   d. a secondary frame positioned between and engaged with said rails, wherein said secondary frame is moveable with respect to said rails along the length of said rail;   e. a pan engaged with said first and second rails, wherein said pan is positioned between first and second horizontal rails and extends from said first horizontal rail to said second horizontal rail, wherein said pan extends along an entire length of said first and second horizontal rails, wherein said pan is positioned below said secondary frame, and wherein said pan is positioned above said floor; and,   f. a branch engaged with said secondary frame and extending upward therefrom; and,   g. a delivery arrangement comprising an intake portion and a discharge portion, wherein said discharge portion is operatively engaged with said secondary frame, and wherein said delivery arrangement is configured and arranged to provide a nutrient supply from said intake portion to said discharge portion.   
     
     
         12 . The support frame according to  claim 11  wherein said support frame further comprises a plant stand, wherein said plant stand is configured and arranged to support a plurality of plants in a vertically angled manner, and wherein said base member supports said plant stand. 
     
     
         13 . The support frame according to  claim 12  wherein said plant stand defines a chamber into which said plant root extends, and wherein said secondary frame is positioned in said chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The support frame according to  claim 13  further comprising a drive assembly, wherein said drive assembly is configured and arranged to move said secondary frame between a first position at a first terminal end of said two generally horizontal rails and a second position at a second terminal end of said rails. 
     
     
         15 . A method of growing a crop in a controlled environment, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. arranging a first plurality of plants on a frame, wherein said frame is angled upward with respect to a horizontal plane and wherein said frame extends horizontally for a first distance;   b. positioning a first and a second nozzle beneath said frame, wherein said first and second nozzles are moveable with respect to said frame, wherein said first and second nozzles are in fluid communication with a supply line, and wherein a horizontal distance between said first and second nozzles is approximately equal to one half of said first distance;   c. providing a nutrient supply to said supply line, wherein said nutrient supply includes at least one nutrient said first plurality of plants require for growth;   d. pressurizing said nutrient supply such that said nutrient supply exits said first nozzle in a direction toward said first plurality of plants;   e. moving said first and second nozzles such that said nutrient supply exits said first nozzle in a direction toward a second plurality of plants, wherein said second plurality of plants is arranged on said frame adjacent said first plurality of plants;   f. collecting a portion of said nutrient supply not absorbed by said first plurality of plants; and   g. redistributing said portion of said nutrient supply not absorbed by said first plurality of plants to said first and second pluralities of plants.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said first and second nozzles are further defined as being moveable in a linear fashion with respect to said plurality of plants. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said frame is further defined as comprising two frame portions, and wherein said two frame portions are generally symmetrical about a vertical plane. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein a chamber between said two frame portions is further defined as an aeroponic chamber, and wherein said first and second nozzles are further defined as being positioned in said aeroponic chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said first and second nozzles are further defined as being engaged with a first and second mast. 
     
     
         20 . A method of growing a crop in a controlled environment, said method comprising the steps of:
 a. arranging a first plurality of plants on a frame, wherein said frame is angled upward with respect to a horizontal plane and wherein said frame extends horizontally for a first distance;   b. positioning a first and a second nozzle beneath said frame, wherein said first and second nozzles are moveable with respect to said frame, wherein said first and second nozzles are in fluid communication with a supply line, and wherein a horizontal distance between said first and second nozzles is approximately equal to one half of said first distance;   c. providing a nutrient supply to said supply line, wherein said nutrient supply includes at least one nutrient said first plurality of plants require for growth;   d. pressurizing said nutrient supply such that said nutrient supply exits said first nozzle in a direction toward said first plurality of plants; and,   e. moving said first and second nozzles such that said nutrient supply exits said first nozzle in a direction toward a second plurality of plants, wherein said second plurality of plants is arranged on said frame adjacent said first plurality of plants.